Program Updates
February 20, 2025: Temporary Program Pause
Effective February 20, 2025, the Southeast Alberta Municipal Immigration program for the City of Medicine Hat, Town of Redcliff, Cypress County and the Town of Bow Island is temporarily paused. This decision follows recent Federal and Provincial immigration policy changes that have lowered immigration allocation spaces throughout the province. During this time, no new applications will be accepted. All applications received before this date will be duly processed.
The status of the program will be reviewed in January 2026. Thank you for your understanding.
January 2, 2026: Participating communities’ update
Effective February 1, 2026, the SAMI designation applies only to the City of Medicine Hat and the Town of Bow Island. Town of Redcliff and Cypress County are no longer designated.
February 1, 2026: Endorsement letter renewal process
The renewal process applies only to candidates who already hold an endorsement letter and require an updated version to continue with their application.
1. If your endorsement letter has expired or will expire soon
You can still submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), even if your endorsement letter is more than one year old.
2. After you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
You have 15 days to accept the ITA. Before accepting it, email immigration@medicinehat.ca to request an updated endorsement letter. Include the following in your request:
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A copy of your ITA
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Any changes since your original endorsement (job title, duties, address, employer details, etc.)
Your file will be assessed, and our team will issue an updated endorsement letter within 2–5 business days of your initial email.
3. Accepting your ITA
Once you receive your updated endorsement letter, you may accept the ITA and upload the valid letter as part of your application documents.
*Important Notes
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If you are invited to apply under a different immigration stream, you do not need an updated endorsement letter. The original endorsement letter is acceptable unless you are applying through the Rural Renewal Stream, which requires a current letter.
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Renewals will be issued once and only for candidates endorsed prior to January 1, 2026.
March 16, 2026: Candidate requirements updated
Candidate must work in one of the following occupations (NOC code lookup tool).
- Healthcare and Social Assistance (621, 622, 623, 624)
- Education, Law, Community and Government Services (611, 541, 911,912,913)
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (541)
- Construction & Trades (236, 237, 238)
- Manufacturing (31-33)
Candidates in the Town of Bow Island and Post-Graduation Work Permit holders who have completed a post-secondary education program at Medicine Hat College are not required to meet the regional occupation and job offer requirements.
May 4, 2026: Program resumes
The program is accepting new applications, effective May 4, 2026. Please note that we have updated eligibility requirements and that information was added to the website on March 31, 2026.
To submit an Employer Request to Participate, please fill out this form, which will begin accepting applications at 8:00 am, May 4, 2026.
May 12, 2026: Program allocation filled
Our allocation for the 2026 Southeast Alberta Municipal Immigration program has been filled and we are no longer accepting new applications. We invite any employer that was not able to submit a request to participate to check back in with us towards the end of the year as additional spots may open up at a later date.
Thank you for your understanding.
Participating Municipalities
Contact Us
Email: immigration@medicinehat.ca
Address
533 First Street SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 0A9